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Camp Fire

EIN 91-0575953 · Seattle, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAMP FIRE INSPIRES AND ENABLES YOUTH AND FAMILIES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES TO DISCOVER THEIR SPARK, VALUE THE NATURAL WORLD, AND BECOME TOMORROW'S LEADERS, TODAY.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 45%
Employees
180
Volunteers
552
Highest pay
$135,922, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 135% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.4 million spent. CAMPING - 3,685 YOUTH AND 1,444 ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN CAMPING EXPERIENCES AT CAMP SEALTH. THE 6-13 DAY RESIDENT SUMMER CAMP, WEEK-LONG DAY CAMPS, OUTDOOR EDUCATION, FAMILY CAMP WEEKENDS, AND RETREAT SESSIONS HOSTED AT CAMP SEALTH ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS IN DIVERSE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. YOUTH AND FAMILIES FIND A SENSE OF BELONGING AT CAMP AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY NEW THINGS, BUILD SKILLS, AND STRETCH THEIR IMAGINATIONS ABOUT WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
  2. $398,693 spent. DAY CAMP - 1,265 YOUTH AND 66 ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN CAMPING ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH BUILD SKILLS AND SELF ESTEEM AT 3 OUTDOOR PARK SITES THROUGHOUT KING COUNTY. CAMPERS LEARN ABOUT NATURE THROUGH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BEACH WALKS, NATURE HIKES, FIRE BUILDING, OUTDOOR COOKING, AND SAFETY CLASSES. SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEAM-BUILDING, DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS, AND GROWING TOGETHER AS THEY TRY NEW ACTIVITIES AND LEARN NEW SKILLS.
  3. $284,855 spent. GROUP PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - 178 YOUTH AND 102 ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN CAMP FIRE'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDING OUR SIGNATURE GROUP PROGRAM, TEEN LEADERSHIP, AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. CAMP FIRE ENGAGES GROUPS OF YOUTH, FAMILIES, OR INDIVIDUALS; AND PARTICIPANTS ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS, HAVE FUN, LEARN NEW OUTDOOR AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE. ACTIVITIES BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS AND ENCOURAGE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SELF-EMPOWERMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1958.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.